SHOULD I ATTEMPT A RESTORATION?

WHY NOT????

The process of auto restoration starts with your choice of vehicle. The availability of spare parts will make or break your dreams. Before you buy a project, you should figure out what the restoration will cost. How much of the work can you do yourself? No matter how good you are, you will not be able to build your own machine shop. There's just too much cash and space involved for one restoration.

For assessing the costs, you should write down everything the vehicle is going to need. The length of your list will depend on the extent of the restoration. Once you figure out the extent of the work needed, add up the cost to repair each item. An off chassis restoration will be much more expensive, than a quick paint job and fresh motor. Then, find the value of the vehicle in restored condition. Most (ALL) of the time, your costs will exceed the vehicle's value.

Now that you've figured that this restoration will cost you more than the vehicle's worth, you have to let your emotions override any rational thinking. (I don't care. I'll look really cool and chicks dig cool.). Now that you're in an irrational state of mind, you need to go buy the vehicle.

Negotiating the price of a restoration project will depend on the condition of vehicle and its popularity. Remember the cost of the vehicle is part of the restoration costs.

Now that vehicle is blocking your driveway, you need to start locating the major parts you'll need. Nothing is worse than getting to a point where you have to stop because you don't have or can not find a part.

Here's a checklist that can be used for estimating the projects size and costs: LIST